AIRLINER, FORCED BACK, LANDS BY AID OF FLARES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22696, 22 July 1948, Page 6

AIRLINER, FORCED BACK, LANDS BY AID OF FLARES

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 22. A Lodestar aircraft of National Airways Corporation, carrying 11 passengers, landed beside the flare path at Harewood airport after dark last evening.

It is believed to be the first time a civilian aircraft on a regular trip has had to land there with passengers after dark

Turned Back at Oamaru

The trip south was begun on schedule at 2.20 p.m. and when the aircraft was beyond Oamaru the weather deteriorated and the commander decided to turn back. . As soon as this advice was received by radio at Harewood arrangements for an emergency landing were put in hand. A flare path of 800 yards was laid out with about 50 yards between each flare. , , It was practically dark when tne Lodestar came over Harewood, but its landing path was marked clearly. The commander landed down the single line of flares toward a crossbar ol flares which formed aT. This indicated the quarter from which the wind was blowing. , , . ~ It was 5.35 p.m. when the aircrait touched down and. after that, there was little difference from the arrival of the regular daytime flight.

Passengers Dispatched by Car

The passengers showed little concern beyond disappointment that their trip to Dunedin had been delayed. Two earlier flights to Taieri had been cancelled because that airport was closed by the weather. National Airways Corporation dispatched 30 passengers south by Christchurch taxis. They were met at St. Andrew's. South Canterbury, by Dunedin taxis and the passengers were transferred. Persons bound for Harewood from Taieri were also making their journey by road. No northern flights to or from Harewood were affected, the Christchurch airport remaining workable m spite of misty rain